Mary Dunne of Weston: Vote Sullivan for Middlesex DA

Thursday

Aug 21, 2014 at 11:00 AM

As some of you may be aware, the Middlesex District Attorney election is coming up on Sept. 9. In years past, I am a bit ashamed to say I probably wouldn’t even have bothered voting in such a race and might not even have known who the candidates were.

Mary Dunne

TO THE EDITOR:

As some of you may be aware, the Middlesex District Attorney election is coming up on Sept. 9. In years past, I am a bit ashamed to say I probably wouldn’t even have bothered voting in such a race and might not even have known who the candidates were.

But in July 2011, that all changed when my only child, Lauren Dunne Astley, was murdered by Nathaniel Fujita in Wayland. I was then forced to pay attention to a whole new world of courts, district attorneys, and the realm of victims’ rights.

Because of Lauren’s death, I now know that the office of the DA is a critical one that should be led by and filled with caring victim advocates. I’ve met both candidates. I have done my research, as only a mother can, and it is my strong opinion that Michael Sullivan has the heart, integrity, toughness and leadership that Marian Ryan lacks.

If you are someone who is “not interested” in this race, perhaps you also are someone who has never experienced a trauma that has led you to the reluctant place of working with the DA’s office.

I ask that you consider lending your vote to Michael Sullivan for the office of Middlesex County District Attorney on Sept. 9. In this small way, you can have a huge impact in our communities. Thank you so much. – Mary Dunne, Jericho Road, Weston